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The Cotton Club Parade: 1937 Second Edition / Nicholas Brothers [theatrical performance]

Title

The Cotton Club Parade: 1937 Second Edition [Theatrical Performance]

Performers

Nicholas Brothers

Bailey, Bill

3 Giants of Rhythm

Cotton Club Girls & Boys

Dudley, Bessie

Bailey, Bill

Published/Created

1937-03-17

Genre

Theatrical Performance

Venue

Cotton Club

Abstract

Second edition of the downtown Cotton Club running March 14-June 13, 1937 with Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra featuring Ethel Waters and the Nicholas Brothers. The overture and opening, "Cotton Club Express" played by Ellington's Orchestra and sung by Mae Diggs, George Dewey Washington and the entire company. Musical numbers included Harold Nicholas with the Cotton Club Ensemble singing and dancing "Taps Is Tops"; dance specialty by the 3 Giants of Rhythm; Fayard and Harold Nicholas performing "Chile" billed as a South American Fantasy with singer Ivy Anderson and with exhibition ballroom teams Anise & Alland and Renee & Estrella, and the Cotton Club Ensemble; specialty dance by "Tap Mathematician" Bill Bailey; and the Nicholas Brothers singing and dancing the new dance craze, "Peckin'."

Through June 15, 1937. The Cotton Club moved from Harlem to Broadway and 48th Street, near Times Square. With the second Cotton Club Parade, were the Ethel Waters rendition of "Where Is The Sun," and "Give It To Him" with Kaloah's dancing to Duke's "Black and Tan Fantasy" and Bessie Dudley's to "Rockin' In Rhythm" Ivie Anderson's "Chiles"; and a dance number introduced by Mae Diggs with the Nicholas Brothers and backing by the chorus.

Source

Haskins, Jim: The Cotton Club. New York: Random House (1977).

Hill, Constance Valis: Constance Valis Hill, personal collection of tap dance materials. ().

Last Updated: 12-16-2015